CBS Jumps Into Mobile TV On Demand with New App

CBS (parent company of CNET) has not been too keen on new streaming technology such as Aereo and the Hopper, the commercial-skipping tech from Dish Network. It may prefer people sitting right in front of the TV and watching "CSI," ads and all. But that does not mean it’ll be standing still. This week CBS got into streaming in a big way. No it's still missing from many streaming services, such as Hulu Plus (when will that get rectified?), but it has launched a new CBS mobile app for iPad and iPhone. Is CBS ready for mobile TV?

CBS (parent company of CNET) has not been too keen on new streaming technology such as Aereo and the Hopper, the commercial-skipping tech from Dish Network. It may prefer people sitting right in front of the TV and watching "CSI," ads and all. But that does not mean it’ll be standing still. This week CBS got into streaming in a big way. No it's still missing from many streaming services, such as Hulu Plus (when will that get rectified?), but it has launched a new CBS mobile app for iPad and iPhone. Is CBS ready for mobile TV?

The new app showcases programming such as NCIS, CSI, How I Met Your Mother, Survivor, The Young and the Restless, Elementary, The Late Show with David Letterman," and many others. These are full episodes streaming in HD. Some shows will appear in the app a week later, but some will be available 24 hours after the first airing. The new app features a personalized show list you can sort and update, live social feeds based around shows, photo galleries, and cast pages. There is also an option to get notified by CBS when your favorite shows are added to the app. CBS plans on rolling out more shows, and the app has the potential to blossom into a one-stop viewing location for CBS fans.

The app can be downloaded for iOS on iPhone and iPad now, CBS is also planning Windows 8 and Android versions in the future. CBS currently offers streaming of its top shows on its website, but this is a good step in making shows portable for mobile-TV fans. Not all shows are available yet, but so far there is already a healthy selection to choose from.

Most of the major networks have apps that let you watch programming on demand. These days it would be odd to find a major network like ABC, CBS or NBC that did not offer that option. But with so many disruptions pulling consumers away from live TV viewing, and the slow pace of the Dyle branding initiative to bring programming to a majority of portable devices, as well as the legal limbo of self starters like Aereo, networks are starting to think about what is next. And what is next for ABC could be the first live streaming app from a major network.

Mobile TV on tablets is heating up, and this week things got a little toastier as Amazon launched its new Instant Video app on iPad. Going head to head against Netflix streaming is one of Amazon’s main goals, but does the service have enough momentum to gain traction in the mobile video space?

CBS Corp has made a bid for and acquired TV Guide Digital, which includes TV Guide mobile and TVGuide.com. Previously Lionsgate had a 50 percent share in the mobile wing of the TV Guide brand, and Lionsgate sold its remaining stake to CBS to complete the deal. Lionsgate will continue to operate the basic cable channel TV Guide Network. But we have to wonder, what is CBS' master plan?

Aereo is ramping up its commitment to bringing mobile DVRs to consumers with a jump up to 80 hours of storage. Aereo is the New York City-based live mobile TV service that transmits local programming for a fee to portable devices. While being in the news (and being sued by broadcasters) has certainly generated a lot of press, the Barry Diller-backed mobile TV company continues to double down and offer new features to move the test trail to other parts of the country.

The Watch ABC app has been a hit in markets such as NYC, because it allowed users to freely stream as much live TV from their local affiliates as they wanted. Unfortunately, that has changed, and this could be a sign of things to come.

A growing trend lately is apps from a network that allow watching full series episodes on smartphones and tablets. The latest to fling its hat in the ring is the NBC-owned USA TV network. Love shows like "Burn Notice," "Psych," "Necessary Roughness," "Covert Affairs," "Suits" and "Graceland"? This is the app for you.